After an absence of almost three years South African air shows are taking to the skies once again, and the Cape’s West Coast will launch its inaugural Saldanha Bay Air Show on Saturday 1 October 2022 at Saldanha/Vredenburg Airport. The last time the West Coast hosted an air show was in December 2017 at the AirForce Base outside of Langebaan.
Air shows are ranked as one of the most popular family entertainment events worldwide. According to West Coast Saldanha Bay Air Show organiser Dr Clive Coetzee, who has organised 24 air shows between 2012 and 2014 in KZN, such events appeal to a cross community of cultures, ages and are gender inclusive.
“The West Coast Saldanha Bay Air Show will, first and foremost, be family entertainment,” he said. “It will be a fun day out for all and one thing is for sure, there is never a dull moment at an air show. The sheer diversity and combination of performers, aircraft, speed and sound set against our magnificent West-Coast African skies means there is something for everyone.”
In addition to the flying displays there will be exhibitions to view, drone demonstrations, model planes, drag and drone racing and much more. Local vendors will sell food and beverages.
Confirmed acts:
- Fly-past by Johan Ferreira
- Microlight
- SAAF Dakota
- Mother City Skydivers
- Air display by Dave Mandel in his L39 Albatros Jet
- Air ballet duo by aviator Ivan van der Schaar in his aircraft and
his son steering his radio control aircraft from the ground. This is a first
ever act in Africa and possibly the world. The Aviation world is currently
abuzz when this act was witnessed for the very first time at the Rand Air Show
earlier this month. West Coast Saldanha Bay Air Show will be the 2nd
event to host this incredible act. - Air display by Grant Timms in L29 Jet from Hangar51
- Air display by Grant Timms in Yak52 from Hangar51
- Air display – SAAF Pilatus / Silver Falcons
- Langebaan Model Flying Club
- Drone Display and Racing by FlyFPVSA
- Gyrocopter display acts by André van Zyl & Len Klopper
- Sa Navy Drill display
- Drag Racing by West Coast Racing
- Air
display – Derek Lord in former SAAF aircraft, the Bosbok - Aerostar
display act by Dr Jurie Steyn (JP) - Tucano
display act by pilot Marko Nel - Glider
display act by pilot Nico le Roux in his award
winning Jonkers Sailplane JS1 Revelation - First
ever Drone vs Drags race – top drone pilots will challenge top dragsters! Who
will be the winner? - Radio
control aircrafts display act
The first major air show took place in 1909 in France and in South Africa in 1932. In the US and Canada alone, around 350 air shows take place every year, and already this year the South African air show calendar has hosted the Stellenbosch, Parys and Newcastle air shows with much success.
The West Coast Saldanha Bay Air Show is powered by Zoom Fibre SA and brought to local skies through partnerships with the West Coast Business Chamber, the Saldanha Bay Municipality, Cape Town Tourism, the Weskus Mall, Saldanha Bay Hotel, Cape Town Magazine, Sanitech, Seal Security, the Faculty of Military Science (Military Academy), the Airport Operator, FlyFPVSA, West Coast Racing (Drags), West Coast Oval, Atlantic Medical Response and the Weskus Radio Controls.
For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/WestCoastSaldanhaBayAirShow or email clivecoetzee@sun.ac.za. Buy tickets online at https://weskustickets.co.za/ or go to the Facebook Event page. Tickets can also be bought at Weskus Mall.
